COMMENTARY

Right! That's it from here. Afghanistan go back with their heads held high. They put in a really commendable performance against the best side in ODI cricket and tying such a close game is no easy feat. India, well, would consider this as the perfect tune-up game before the big final as their middle order was really tested. In any case, we bid you farewell for now. But do join us in a few hours' time for the virtual semi-final between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The contest takes place on 26th September, at 1530 local (1130 GMT). See you then. Cheers!

Ok. The jury is out. MOHAMMAD SHAHZAD HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. He says he isn't happy with the result as he wanted to win, but is happy with the performance his side put against a team like India. States that since they were going to go back home anyway, his idea was to just hit it and play his natural game. Is glad to have played a knock like this. Reckons that he wasn't playing well in the last few games, so is content he ended the tournament on a high.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni praises Afghanistan for their improvement in cricket. Commends their growth and says that they are one country that has risen up the ranks. Is full of praise for the way they bowled and fielded tonight. He says that India were handicapped today as they had rested their first-choice players. Faults his fast bowlers for not hitting the right lengths in the initial overs. On the batting, he is happy that the team got off to a terrific start but laments the starts not getting converted. Is very stern about his comments regarding the shot selection. Praises Afghanistan for their fielding and maintaining relentless pressure.

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says the wicket was good for the spinners. Credits Mohammad Shahzad for playing positive cricket and applauds the Indian openers for the way they played. States that his bowlers did well and is happy with their performance. Mentions that India are a very good side, but acknowledges that his team gave them a tough fight and also wishes them all the best for the final. On Shahzad, he says that he's a good player and played positive cricket, just feels unfortunate that he couldn't do it in the last game.

India had Ravindra Jadeja at one end but he kept running out of partners. However, he played smartly up until till that final ball. Well, one cannot help but be harsh on him. With 1 run needed, 2 balls remaining, it would have been better had he played that along the ground. But that is pressure. Please stay tuned for the presentation. Whom should the man of the match go to? Shahzad, for his century? Or Nabi, for his 64 and 2 wickets? Let us see...

This was a perfect game for the middle order to test itself. Throughout the tournament, India have been winning handsomely, thanks to its top order. Dinesh Karthik was playing beautifully but then Dhoni got a rough call. After that, Pandey threw his wicket away. But Jadhav stayed around, til a freakish run out got him. And then, Karthik got a rough call too and that is where, the game swung.

Phew. Let us try and dissect the innings. Can one bad review turn the game against you? It surely did against India tonight. Lokesh Rahul chose to review a straightforward LBW decision and well, it really hurt India. The 110-run opening stand set the run chase up and then, there was a bit of a collapse. The batting side slipped from 110/1 to 166/4 but Jadhav and Karthik were still at the crease.

Take a bow, Afghanistan. You can go back home with your heads held high. At 204/4, with 49 needed from 68 balls, one would have thought it is India's game. However, the Afghan bowlers and fielders believed in themselves and though they could not win, prevented a defeat too.

End of over 50 ( 6 Runs )IND 254/10Ravindra Jadeja* 35(50)Khaleel Ahmed 1(1)
3 wickets for Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan is on a roll.
10 wickets down for IND. Out batsman is Ravindra Jadeja. It is all over for IND.
49.5Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja.out, OUT! THE MATCH IS TIED! Unbelievable scenes. Rashid Khan is flying around, like an aeroplane. Shikhar Dhawan is smiling in the dressing room. How did India goof it up? A short ball, Jadeja rocked back and pulled it uppishly. He could have hit it anywhere he liked but he chose the only man in the deep on the leg side - mid-wicket. Najibullah Zadran comes running in and takes a terrific catch. Oh boy, what a game. Does not matter to either team but what a match we have had.

49.4Rashid Khan to Khaleel Ahmed. 1 run, Nervy moment! Full and outside off, the googly, Khaleel does not pick it at all. Looks to drive and the ball nearly goes through the gate. Takes the inside edge and scoots past the leg stump towards short fine leg! Jadeja is halfway down the track and Khaleel has to run. He seems to be gone for all money but short fine leg returns a sharp rocket throw and Rashid is unable to collect. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

A team conference out in the middle.

49.3Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, TAKES THE SINGLE! 2 needed from 3 balls. Is that the right call from Jadeja? He flicks this through square leg and takes a quick run. Should he have farmed the strike?

49.2Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja.FOUR, FOUR! FETCH THAT! What a hit by Jadeja. The wrong 'un, outside off, Jaddu gets down and plays the slog sweep. The ball is aerial and flat and goes towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there rushes to his right, puts in a dive but cannot get to the ball! Initially, it seems like it has hit the ropes on the full but replays confirm that the ball has bounced just before.

Four or a six? Referred upstairs...

49.1Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, THEY DON'T RUN! A short ball, Jadeja heaves it towards deep mid-wicket but does not want the single. 7 needed from 5 balls.

Last over. It was Shoaib Malik in match 1. Then Mustafizur in match 2. Will Jadeja rob Afghanistan off a close win in match 3? The whole Afghan team is giving advice to their number 1 bowler, Rashid Khan. 6 to defend.

Khaleel Ahmed is the last man in but Jadeja is on strike. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma comes running out with a smile taking drinks along! What is the message?

48.5Aftab Alam to Siddarth Kaul.out, OUT! It is wicket number 9! The Afghans are hitting the stumps alright. Full on middle, Kaul pushes it towards mid on and hares across. Hashmatullah Shahidi charges to the ball, picks it up and then fires a direct hit the bowler's end! It is referred upstairs and replays show that Kaul is gone!

Another direct hit! Is it another run out? Kaul is the man in question. Referred upstairs...

48.4Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, On middle, pushed towards long on for a run.

48.3Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Should Rashid have dived and gone for the catch? A short ball, outside off, climbing up, Jadeja looks to pull but gets a top edge. Rashid Khan comes charging in from mid-wicket but does not dive! The ball lands in front of him. Meanwhile, Kaul is near Jadeja, wanting the single. Rashid has a throw at the bowler's end but misses! All happening!

48.2Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 2 runs, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple. 9 needed from 10 now.

Siddarth Kaul walks in at number 10, replacing Kuldeep.

48.1Aftab Alam to Kuldeep Yadav.out, 2 runs, OUT! Kuldeep is gone. What a brilliant piece of fielding. India are 8 down now but Jadeja is on strike. Full and around off, Kuldeep backs away and drives it through the covers. Gulbadin Naib covers good ground to his left and dives to stop the boundary. Jadeja calls for the third but Kuldeep is a bit slow in taking off. Naib returns a wayward throw to the bowler, way away from the stumps. But he takes the throw, turns back and then fires his own throw at the stumps. Bull's eye! Kuldeep's bat gets stuck outside the crease and that does not help matters. It is referred upstairs and replays confirm that Yadav is short. 11 more needed from 11 balls.

Direct hit! Is Kuldeep run out? Referred upstairs...

Crucial over for both sides. India will not want too much to get from the final Rashid over. Can they finish it off in this over itself?

End of over 48 ( 4 Runs )IND 240/7Ravindra Jadeja* 26(42)Kuldeep Yadav 13(17)47.6Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. 2 runs, A full toss, on middle, whipped through mid-wicket for a brace.

47.5Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Full and around off, spins in sharply, watchfully blocked.

47.4Rashid Khan to Kuldeep Yadav. 1 run, Excellent shot! Full and outside leg, swept behind square on the leg side for a single.

47.3Rashid Khan to Kuldeep Yadav. no run, LBW appeal, not out. The leg spinner, pitched on middle and leg, Kuldeep misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Turning down the leg side. For the first time, the required run rate goes above 6.

47.2Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

47.1Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, A googly to start. Well bowled. Pitched outside off, Jadeja lunges to defend but misses the line. Quick stumping by Shahzad but Jaddu was in the crease.

Decisive over. Rashid Khan to bowl. 8-0-31-1 so far. Lot of ones available on the leg side.

46.5Aftab Alam to Kuldeep Yadav. 1 run, A length ball, tucked off the hips through mid-wicket for a run.

46.4Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

46.3Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, On middle and leg, flicked towards short mid-wicket. There is a yes-yes and a no-no and eventually, both batsmen stay where they are. The fielder has a needless shy at the striker's end and nearly concedes an overthrow off the deflection. Luckily for him, the ball stays over there after hitting the stumps and the batsmen do not run.

46.2Aftab Alam to Kuldeep Yadav. 1 run, A slower delivery outside off, Yadav waits for the ball and then taps it towards point for a quick single.

Samiullah Shenwari is going off the ground. He was the substitute fielder and is being subbed now.

46.1Aftab Alam to Kuldeep Yadav. 2 runs, WATCH IT! Oh dear... Samiullah Shenwari is down. Full on middle and leg, Kuldeep flicks this beautifully through square leg. The throw comes in from Gulbadin Naib as the batsmen take the second. The bowler is in the middle of the pitch, shouting at the fielder as to what is he doing. Naib returns a quick throw to the keeper who tries to collect and whip the bails off but is unable to collect the ball. It hits his left glove and then hits Shenwari backing up behind, on his left cheek, just below the eye. He blames Shahzad for not collecting that but if truth be told, it is not anyone's mistake.

End of over 46 ( 4 Runs )IND 227/7Kuldeep Yadav* 3(8)Ravindra Jadeja 20(33)45.6Mohammad Nabi to Kuldeep Yadav. 1 run, IN THE GAP! Lucky me. Or lucky Kuldeep, shall I say. He tries to flick across the line but gets a leading edge. However, the ball flies between cover and point! A single taken.

45.5Mohammad Nabi to Kuldeep Yadav. no run, Full and straight, watchfully defended.

45.4Mohammad Nabi to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Outside off again, played through point for a run.

45.3Mohammad Nabi to Kuldeep Yadav. 1 run, Outside off, played through point for a single.

45.2Mohammad Nabi to Kuldeep Yadav. no run, On middle and leg, defended watchfully.

45.1Mohammad Nabi to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Full and outside off, spinning away, Jadeja waits for the ball to turn and then guides it towards point. A single taken.

Mohammad Nabi to bowl out. 9-0-36-2 so far.

End of over 45 ( 7 Runs )IND 223/7Kuldeep Yadav* 0(1)Ravindra Jadeja 16(29)44.6Aftab Alam to Kuldeep Yadav. no run, Full and straight, Kuldeep just about survives, getting his bat down in time. The ball takes the inside edge and hits him on the pads. 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Aftab's figures read 8-0-41-2.

Kuldeep Yadav is the next man in at number 9, replacing Chahar. How will Jadeja bat now?

3 wickets for Aftab Alam. Aftab Alam is on a roll.
44.5Aftab Alam to Deepak Chahar.out, OUT! BOWLED! Aftab has struck! Chahar is beaten by pace. A length ball, on middle, Deepak looks to flick but the ball hits his pads and then deflects onto the off stump. The Afghan supporters go wild in the crowd. Aftab is excited and runs all around the park. This match well... seems to be heading down to the wire. 27 more needed from 31 balls.

44.3Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Full on middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

44.2Aftab Alam to Deepak Chahar. 1 run, Full and outside off, almost a yorker, Chahar looks for a drive but gets a bottom edge. The ball barely moves towards gully but the batsmen pinch a quick run. The stand is now worth 20 from 28 balls.

44.1Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Outside off, pushed through point for a single. 29 more needed from 35 balls.

Aftab Alam is back on. 7-0-38-1 so far.

End of over 44 ( 7 Runs )IND 218/7Deepak Chahar* 16(20)Ravindra Jadeja 13(24)43.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Deepak Chahar. no run, Full and down the leg side, Deepak misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Mujeeb is done for the night. 10-1-43-0 are his figures. This is just the third time in ODIs that he has gone wicketless. Twice against Ireland - once in Belfast, once in Harare and tonight.

43.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Deepak Chahar.FOUR, FOUR! Crucial boundary for India! Short and wide outside off, Chahar pounces on that and crunches it behind point for a boundary! Moves to 11 from 11 balls with his first boundary.

43.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, On middle, played through mid-wicket for one.

43.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Deepak Chahar. 1 run, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.

43.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Deepak Chahar. no run, Massive LBW shout! Umpire Gregory says no again! The carrom ball from Mujeeb, Chahar gets squared up in attempting to flick it to the leg side but still, manages to get across. He is hit on the pads, but luckily for him, the impact is outside off.

43.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Short and outside off, Jadeja cuts it through point for a quick single.

End of over 43 ( 3 Runs )IND 214/7Ravindra Jadeja* 8(17)Deepak Chahar 10(14)42.6Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, On middle, pushed towards long on for a run.

42.5Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Down the leg side, Ravindra looks to tuck it away but is beaten by the leg spinner and is hit on the pads. Shahzad is sharp behind the wickets and looks for a run out. The ball is barely gone a few yards and Jaddu has to scurry back.

42.4Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, The googly, outside off, spinning away, Jadeja does not pick it and mistimes his cut to cover.

42.3Rashid Khan to Deepak Chahar. 1 run, Around middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

42.2Rashid Khan to Deepak Chahar. no run, Full and outside off, Chahar lunges to defend but the ball rips past the outside edge.

42.1Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, A full toss, around off, whipped through long on for a single. 39 more needed from 47 balls.

Rashid Khan is back on. 7-0-28-1 so far. Can he swing this game Afghanistan's way?

41.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Short and outside off, punched through point for a single.

41.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Another LBW shout! Turned down again! Full and around middle, Jadeja misses his defense again and is rapped on the pads. This one is missing leg too, by the looks of it.

41.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot.

41.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Huge, huge appeal for LBW! Turned down! Full and around middle, the carrom ball, Jadeja does not pick it at all and hastily looks to defend. Misses and is hit on the pads. A massive appeal ensues but umpire Brathwaite shakes his head. Hawk Eye shows that to be missing leg.

41.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Short and outside off, Jadeja looks to cut but mistimes his shot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on. 8-1-33-0 so far.

End of over 41 ( 3 Runs )IND 208/7Ravindra Jadeja* 2(3)Deepak Chahar 3(5)40.6Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, Full toss, on middle, pushed down to long on for one.

40.5Aftab Alam to Deepak Chahar. 1 run, Down the leg side, helped fine for a run.

40.4Aftab Alam to Deepak Chahar. no run, Around off, Chahar gets squared up a touch and pushes it towards point.

40.3Aftab Alam to Deepak Chahar. no run, Full and straight, watchfully defended.

40.2Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. 1 run, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

40.1Aftab Alam to Ravindra Jadeja. no run, Full and straight, Jadeja looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover.

End of over 40 ( 2 Runs )IND 207/7Deepak Chahar* 2(2)Ravindra Jadeja 0(0)39.6Mohammad Nabi to Deepak Chahar. no run, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. End of Powerplay 2. 143/6 in this period for India. Afghanistan made 126/6 during their batting.

39.5Mohammad Nabi to Deepak Chahar. 2 runs, Full and down the leg side, Chahar tickles it past short fine leg to get his international career underway. Two runs taken.

Deepak Chahar is the new man in at number 8, replacing Karthik.

39.4Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik.out, OUT! Adjudged LBW! Boy, is the game turning now? Karthik is not happy. Full and around middle and leg, Karthik misses his flick and is hit on the pads as the ball spins in. Nabi appeals, the umpire takes his time and eventually raises his finger! DK has a long look at the heavens and then trudges back. To the naked eye, that looked like missing leg. Hawk Eye confirms it. Sadly, India do not have any review left. 48 more needed from 62 balls. Getting close.

39.3Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full and around off, watchfully defended.

39.2Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man.

39.1Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full and around middle, Karthik misses his flick and is hit on the pads. The Afghans appeal again but it is turned down. Missing leg.

38.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik.out, OUT! What a freakish dismissal! Kedar is short. Has to go now. Full and around off, Karthik drives it straight back. Now, Mujeeb gets across to his right and should have fielded it. But he misfields it, the ball brushes his hands and hits the stumps behind! Now, Kedar is backing a long way and has to turn behind and slide his bat in. Mujeeb appeals and runs around in celebratory fashion. The umpire refers it upstairs and replays show that Jadhav has not quite made it back! Are Afghanistan still in this? 49 more needed from 67 balls.

Is that a run out now? Mujeeb has appealed for a run out at his end. Has Kedar got back in?

38.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Landed outside off, Karthik is pretty late in getting his bat down and just about brings it down in time.

38.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Outside off, Karthik taps this in front of point and takes a quick single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets a change of ends. 7-1-30-0 so far.

End of over 38 ( 2 Runs )IND 202/5Kedar Jadhav* 28(34)Dinesh Karthik 58(84)37.6Mohammad Nabi to Kedar Jadhav. no run, Full on middle, pushed back to Nabi again.

37.5Mohammad Nabi to Kedar Jadhav. no run, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

37.4Mohammad Nabi to Kedar Jadhav. no run, Full and around off, Kedar gets across, looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Shahzad appeals but Nabi is not the least bit interested. Neither is the umpire. Impact could have been outside off.

37.3Mohammad Nabi to Kedar Jadhav. no run, Comes down the track, is not to the pitch of the ball, looks to flick but is hit on the pads.

37.2Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a single.

37.1Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

37.1Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik.wide, 1 run, WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Karthik misses his flick.

Mohammad Nabi is back on. 7-0-32-1 so far.

End of over 37 ( 4 Runs )IND 200/5Kedar Jadhav* 28(30)Dinesh Karthik 57(82)36.6Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

36.5Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, On middle and leg, flicked to the leg side.

36.4Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

36.3Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, The batsman has played it to the point region.

200 runs for IND
200 runs for IND
36.2Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav.FOUR, FOUR! Nicely played. Outside off, Jadhav opens the face of the bat and guides it past short third man for a boundary!

36.1Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, NOT OUT. The sound was of the bat hitting the pad. Afghanistan lose their sole review. Full and outside off, Jadhav looked to try and work it to the leg side but missed and it was snaffled by the keeper. Now, Shahzad and Rashid went up straightaway but the umpire was pretty firm and shook his head. The bowler was adamant and wanted the review but the keeper said he was not sure at all! Great acting skills. Asghar Afghan looked confused as to go for it or not. Shahzad said don't go but Rashid wanted it. You know, how a father feels - when his son wants a toy but his wife does not agree. Eventually, in the final moments, the skipper goes with his bowler. Snickometer shows a spike when the ball goes past the bat but it is because the willow had hit the pad. The decision remains as it is and Rashid is not happy.

Caught behind? There has been a massive appeal from Shahzad and Afghanistan have taken this upstairs. Is Jadhav in trouble? There was some noise...

End of over 36 ( 6 Runs )IND 196/5Kedar Jadhav* 24(24)Dinesh Karthik 57(82)35.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kedar Jadhav. 1 run, Outside off, played through point for a run. The stand is worth 30 from 33 balls.

35.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Short and outside off, another cut shot played through point for one.

35.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kedar Jadhav. 1 run, The leg spinner now. Watched carefully and played through the covers for a run. 59 more needed from 86 balls.

35.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kedar Jadhav. no run, Full and just outside off, Jadhav gets a long stride forward and defends.

35.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Similar ball, another carrom delivery, but on the shorter side. Flayed through point for a single.

35.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. 2 runs, The carrom ball, outside off, flayed through point for a couple.

End of over 35 ( 6 Runs )IND 190/5Dinesh Karthik* 53(79)Kedar Jadhav 22(21)34.6Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, A long hop, dragged down to long on for a single.

50 runs for Dinesh Karthik
50 runs for Dinesh Karthik
34.5Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik.FOUR, FOUR! Very well played. The quicker ball, outside off, Karthik waits till the last moment and then plays the flashy cut. The ball does take a bit of an outside edge but is very wide of the fielder at short third man. The stand is worth 23 from 26 balls.

34.4Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Similar ball, this time Dinesh stays back and blocks it to the off side.

34.3Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full and just around off, Karthik gets a good stride forward to defend.

34.2Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. 1 run, Fuller, around off, pushed through cover-point for a single.

34.1Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. no run, The leg spinner, around middle and off, defended from the crease to the off side.

End of over 34 ( 4 Runs )IND 184/5Kedar Jadhav* 21(19)Dinesh Karthik 48(75)33.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kedar Jadhav. 1 run, Full and around middle, swept behind square on the leg side for one. 69 more needed from 96 balls.

33.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Short and outside off, this time DK cuts it in front of point and gets a run.

33.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Similar delivery, gently dabbed to short third man. Wants a single but is sent back.

DRINKS BREAK. So, for the first time in the tournament, India's middle order gets a good outing in the middle. The flashy batting of Rayudu and Rahul allowed that to happen, as both gifted their wickets away. In fact, apart from Dhoni, all dismissals have been thrown away. But the untested and unexposed middle order will not complain. Perfect opportunity to get some runs under your belt before the final. Just 73 more needed - India will look to Karthik taking them home with a nice unbeaten 70 and the team winning in the 45th over. Can Afghanistan pick up wickets? Here's Mujeeb Ur Rahman to try and say something on that. 5-1-20-0 so far.

End of over 33 ( 3 Runs )IND 179/5Kedar Jadhav* 17(13)Dinesh Karthik 46(69)32.6Rashid Khan to Kedar Jadhav. 1 run, Around off, pushed to the off side for another single.

32.4Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Outside off, dabbed to short third man.

32.3Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full and around off, Dinesh looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge to the leg side.

32.3Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik.wide, 1 run, MASSIVE APPEAL FOR A CAUGHT BEHIND BUT WIDE SIGNALLED! Nothing in it. Pure drama. The googly, pitched around middle and leg, spinning down the leg side, Karthik misses his flick and Shahzad is up and jumping in an appeal. The umpire is calm and simply stretches his arms.

32.2Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Landed outside off, dabbed to short third man.

30.5Aftab Alam to Kedar Jadhav. 2 runs, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. Two runs added to the total.

30.4Aftab Alam to Kedar Jadhav.FOUR, FOUR! That's lucky! Outside off, Jadhav plays a loose drive and gets a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence!

Kedar Jadhav walks in at number 6, replacing Pandey.

5 wickets down for IND. Out batsman is Manish Pandey
5 wickets down for IND. Out batsman is Manish Pandey
30.3Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey.out, OUT! Caught behind! Afghanistan are getting some quick wickets here. This is full and outside off, a touch wide, Pandey looks to drive when it is not on a driveable length. But there is no feet movement and it results in an outside edge. Shahzad collects but neither the keeper nor the bowler appeal. Pandey stays over there but then the umpire sends him on his way. If my memory serves me correct, when Australia toured India in 2017 for the ODIs, Nathan Coulter-Nile got him in a similar fashion caught behind the wickets in the first game.

30.2Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey. no run, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

30.1Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey. no run, Oh dear! Pandey lines himself for a big slog but then the bowler bowls it miles outside off. Now, Pandey thinks it will be a wide but it just grazes the line. So the Free Hit is a dot ball!

FREE HIT TIME! Where can Pandey deposit this? The field can be changed since the batsmen changed strike.

30.1Aftab Alam to Dinesh Karthik.no ball, 1 run, NO BALL! A massive beamer, around middle, Karthik is a touch surprised but manages to pull it towards fine leg for a single.

End of over 30 ( 4 Runs )IND 163/4Manish Pandey* 12(16)Dinesh Karthik 35(53)29.6Mohammad Nabi to Manish Pandey. no run, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

29.5Mohammad Nabi to Manish Pandey. no run, Quicker one outside off, Pandey looks to cut now but misses.

29.4Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

29.3Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman.

29.2Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Outside off, dabbed to short third man.

29.1Mohammad Nabi to Manish Pandey. 3 runs, CHANCE? Perhaps. Full and outside off, Pandey looks to defend but the ball spins in, cramps him for room and then goes off something past the keeper to the fine leg fence. There is a bit of good fielding in the deep, which saved a run. That 'something' was either bat or the pad.

Double bowling change. Mohammad Nabi into the attack as well. 6-0-28-1 so far.

End of over 29 ( 2 Runs )IND 161/4Manish Pandey* 5(9)Dinesh Karthik 34(48)28.6Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey. 1 run, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a single.

28.5Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey. no run, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

28.3Aftab Alam to Manish Pandey. no run, So unlucky. Full and outside off, Pandey drives this dead straight. But it is so straight that it hits the stumps at the other end!

28.2Aftab Alam to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Very full, would have been stone dead, if not for the bat. Tailing in, Karthik walks across, looks to flick and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls to the leg side and the batsmen pinch a single.

28.1Aftab Alam to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Full and outside off, Karthik looks to drop and run to the off side, takes a couple of steps, but then the bowler hurries to collect the ball and DK is sent back.

27.5Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, A long hop, heaved towards long on for a single.

30 runs for Dinesh Karthik
27.4Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik.FOUR, FOUR! FEROCIOUS! Karthik jumps down the track and on seeing that, the bowler bowls a high full toss. But the batsman is unperturbed and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary! Moves to 23 from 30 balls, with his third boundary. 96 more needed to win from 134 deliveries.

27.2Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

27.1Javed Ahmadi to Manish Pandey. 1 run, Full on middle, helped to long on for a single.

End of over 27 ( 9 Runs )IND 153/4Dinesh Karthik* 23(37)Manish Pandey 3(3)
150 runs for IND
150 runs for IND
26.6Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik.FOUR, FOUR! CREAMED! Full and outside off, Karthik leans and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary! 150 UP FOR INDIA. 101 more needed from 138 balls.

26.5Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik. 2 runs, Excellent running. Full and outside off, Karthik drives it through the covers for a couple.

26.4Rahmat Shah to Manish Pandey. 1 run, The batsman drives this through the covers. They pick up a single.

26.3Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Full and outside off, Karthik chips this towards long off for a run.

26.1Rahmat Shah to Manish Pandey. 1 run, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

End of over 26 ( 3 Runs )IND 144/4Manish Pandey* 1(1)Dinesh Karthik 16(33)25.6Javed Ahmadi to Manish Pandey. 1 run, A short ball, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a run. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Ahmadi's figures read 2-0-8-1.

Manish Pandey walks in at number 5, replacing Dhoni.

25.5Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni.out, OUT! LBW! This is a bonus wicket for Afghanistan. Ahmadi has got rid of the Indian captain. But he has also hurt himself in the process. Full and outside off, Dhoni gets a good stride forward and looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Ahmadi appeals, the umpire thinks for a while and then raises his finger. Dhoni is not happy and neither is Ahmadi. Let us get to the bowler first. While celebrating after the decision, the fielder from short fine leg has thrown the ball towards the stumps at the bowler's end. However, he hits the bowler's arm! Ouch. That will sting. Now, let us move to Dhoni's disagreement. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be MISSING LEG STUMP.

25.4Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. no run, Another short ball, punched towards cover.

25.3Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, A long hop, Karthik pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

25.2Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Around off, punched back to the bowler.

25.1Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Landed outside off, spinning in a long way, Dhoni backs away and punches it down to long off for a single.

24.5Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Three in a row! Short, cut, fielded at point.

24.4Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Short again, cut again, straight to point again!

24.3Rahmat Shah to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Short and outside off, punched straight to point.

24.2Rahmat Shah to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Flat on the ground! Tough luck for Mohammad Nabi. A short ball again from the bowler, Dhoni rocks back and pulls it towards long on. Nabi comes running in and collects the ball but then slips and lands on his back side. The crowd has a laugh about that.

24.1Rahmat Shah to Ms Dhoni. no run, A long hop to start, pretty wide, turning away, Dhoni looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards cover. Is halfway down the track for the single but is sent back.

Another bowling change. Rahmat Shah to bowl his leggies.

End of over 24 ( 5 Runs )IND 138/3Ms Dhoni* 9(21)Dinesh Karthik 15(25)23.6Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.

23.5Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

23.4Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Was that a catch? Ummm... well, hard to tell. Landed on off, Dhoni chips it down the track. Ahmadi tries to go for the catch to his right but collides with Karthik. If Karthik had not been standing there... who knows, MS might have been walking back. The ball goes down to long on and a single is taken. The stand moves to 10 from 19 balls.

23.3Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. no run, Comes down the track, Ahmadi yorks him and Dhoni has to dig it out back to the bowler.

23.2Javed Ahmadi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, A tad short, outside off, Karthik backs away to the leg side, allows the ball to spin and then punches it through the covers for a run. Moves to 10 from 16 balls.

23.1Javed Ahmadi to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Full and outside off, wristed towards long on for a single.

Javed Ahmadi comes on to bowl. Does not seem to be a regular. He opened the batting today. Is now bowling off-breaks. Has picked up 7 wickets in 14 ODI innings.

End of over 23 ( 3 Runs )IND 134/3Dinesh Karthik* 11(19)Ms Dhoni 5(15)22.6Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Beauty to beat the bat! Flighted and full around off, spinning away slightly, Karthik commits himself on the front foot as he tries to defend but is beaten by the away spin. The keeper is quick to take the bails off but nothing doing.

22.5Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Picks the googly and turns it off his pads to backward square leg. Looks for a run but is sent back by MSD.

22.4Rashid Khan to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Wrong length again by Rashid. A long hop wide outside off and it's been slapped square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

22.3Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Bowls it seam up. Drops it short on middle at 97 kph, Karthik rocks back and hits it down to long on for one.

22.2Rashid Khan to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, A wrong 'un, landing on middle and turning down, Dhoni moves back and works it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a run.

22.1Rashid Khan to Ms Dhoni. no run, Full and flighted outside off, Dhoni stretches forward and drives it back to the bowler.

End of over 22 ( 3 Runs )IND 130/3Dinesh Karthik* 8(13)Ms Dhoni 2(10)21.6Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

21.5Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Outside off, dabbed to short third man.

21.4Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. 2 runs, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

Mynameissohail - 'Hi! Did anyone notice that there are three keepers in the middle? MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and Mohammad Shahzad!' @mynameissohail - Yup, spot on. Only, even before Dhoni arrived, there were three keepers. Rahul can keep too. And there is one to follow in 'ALL-ROUNDER' Kedar Jadhav.

21.3Mohammad Nabi to Ms Dhoni. leg byes, 1 run, Another LBW appeal. Not out again. Full and outside off, Dhoni comes down the track and looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and the bowler appeals once more. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be hitting the stumps with the impact to be umpire's call. So close. A leg bye taken.

21.2Mohammad Nabi to Ms Dhoni. no run, Pitched around off, spinning in, Dhoni looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Nabi appeals for LBW but is not given. Perhaps height was the factor.

21.1Mohammad Nabi to Ms Dhoni. no run, Full and outside off, Dhoni looks to flick but the ball drifts in, takes the leading edge and goes to short third man.

End of over 21 ( 1 Runs )IND 128/3Dinesh Karthik* 6(9)Ms Dhoni 1(2)20.6Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side.

20.5Rashid Khan to Ms Dhoni. 1 run, Punched down to long on for a single.

20.4Rashid Khan to Ms Dhoni. no run, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni walks in at number 4, replacing Rahul.

3 wickets down for IND. Out batsman is Lokesh Rahul
20.3Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul.out, OUT! Plumb as it gets and Rahul is gone. The leg spinner this time, Rahul goes for the reverse sweep but misses and is hit right in front. Seems dead and is ruled out by the on-field umpire. But for some reason, Rahul wants to have it reviewed. The replays roll in. First the no ball check. Safe. Second, the presence of wood or glove. None. Third, Hawk Eye. Pitched outside off, hitting in line and going on to hit the stumps. India exhaust or rather, waste their only review. Fine knock from Rahul, but again, he has thrown it away.

Another one for the third umpire! This time it is by the batsman. Rahul has been adjudged LBW. Looks plumb, but let's see.

20.2Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul. no run, SAFE. But it was a close call. Full and outside off, Rahul looked to defend but the ball went past the outside edge. Shahzad demolished the stumps, sending the bails flying almost towards the square leg umpire. He then appeals for the stumping. From the first look, it looks pretty simple. But when it is seen from the stump camera, it looks like Rahul's foot is on the line. The benefit of doubt, if we might add, goes to the batsman.

Now, a stumping appeal, referred upstairs. Looks in...

20.1Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Full and around off, skids in, the googly it is, Rahul defends in a hurry.

End of over 20 ( 9 Runs )IND 128/1Lokesh Rahul* 61(65)Dinesh Karthik 6(8)19.6Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 3 runs, A terrific effort. First of all, some luck for Rahul. He comes down the track and looks to go big, but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. He is beaten by the spin and is gone for all money. But luckily for him, the ball goes off the inside edge, misses the leg stump and rolls towards the fine leg fence. Now comes the role of the fielder. Aftab Alam gives it a good chase from short fine leg and at the opportune time, puts in a full length dive. Pulls the ball back in and saves a run for his side.

Four? Or a good stop? Referred upstairs...

19.5Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Full and outside off, KL looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat, onto his pads, then deflecting towards short fine leg.

19.4Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, Full and around off, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a run. 129 more to win from 182 balls.

19.3Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Good batting. After the boundary on the previous ball, Rahul does not get greedy. Pats this one behind point and crosses over.

19.2Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul.FOUR, FOUR! He will play plenty of these shots. Full and outside off, Rahul gets his broom out and reverse sweeps it past short third man. The stand is worth 12 from 13 balls.

19.1Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, On middle and off, Rahul comes down the track and defends it towards cover.

End of over 19 ( 4 Runs )IND 119/1Dinesh Karthik* 5(7)Lokesh Rahul 53(60)18.6Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik.FOUR, FOUR! Dragged short, on middle, Karthik rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary!

18.5Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad.

18.4Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Was there an inside edge involved? Not quite sure. The googly, on leg stump, Karthik looks to flick but the ball lobs off the pads. Does not carry to short fine leg.

Like Mohammad Shahzad's confidence behind the wickets. He deliberately shouts in English - 'ANOTHER ONE COMING, BOYS!!!'

18.3Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Action replay of the previous delivery.

18.1Rashid Khan to Dinesh Karthik. no run, Very full on middle and leg, flicked towards short fine leg. Karthik wants a single but is sent back.

End of over 18 ( 4 Runs )IND 115/1Lokesh Rahul* 53(60)Dinesh Karthik 1(1)17.6Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads.

17.5Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 2 runs, Full on middle, driven down the ground for a couple.

17.4Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.

17.3Mohammad Nabi to Dinesh Karthik. 1 run, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. DK is off the mark as well.

17.2Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, HALF CENTURY FOR RAHUL NOW! Just his second ODI fifty. That is because of the lack of opportunities he has got in his career. A tad short, Rahul goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Drinks break. India have clearly been on top but that wicket of Rayudu at the stroke of the break would certainly give the Afghans something to smile about. Now, if they can pick up a wicket or two more and make further inroads, things could just get a little interesting. Also, Dinesh Karthik walks in next to bat.

17.1Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu.out, OUT! GONE! Afghanistan have their first breakthrough of the evening. Nabi comes from around the wicket and floats it up on the stumps, Rayudu gives the charge and tries to clear long on. Gets a lot of height but not enough distance and as a result, it goes straight down Najibullah's throat. He takes it well and that's the end for Rayudu. He departs, but not before playing a superb knock.

End of over 17 ( 7 Runs )IND 111/0Lokesh Rahul* 50(56)Ambati Rayudu 58(49)16.6Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Comes forward and guards it out safely by keeping bat and pad close together.

16.5Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Quicker through the air again, stays back to this one and steers it to backward point.

16.4Rashid Khan to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Quicker one outside off, forced down to long off for a run.

16.3Rashid Khan to Ambati Rayudu.FOUR, FOUR! Picks up the googly to perfection. Full on off, Rayudu gets low and brings out the big slog sweep. Lifts it over mid-wicket and finds the fence.

50 runs for Lokesh Rahul
50 runs for Lokesh Rahul
16.2Rashid Khan to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

16.1Rashid Khan to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Tossed up outside off, eased back down to long off for one.

Rashid Khan into the attack. His spell, like on most occasions, could hold the key for Afghanistan. A slip in place for him.

End of over 16 ( 4 Runs )IND 104/0Ambati Rayudu* 52(46)Lokesh Rahul 49(53)15.6Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, A firm smack from Rayudu as he goes back and punches it through covers for a single.

15.5Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Slanting across from around the wicket, pushed to covers but straight to the fielder.

15.4Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Driven through mid off by KL. One run to the scoreboard.

15.3Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, 8th ODI fifty for Ambati Rayudu! He's made the most of his promotion up the order. Just flicks this through mid-wicket and jogs across to the other end. He's set now, will want to convert it into a big one.

15.2Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, The 100 comes up for India. Back-to-back opening century stands for them in this tournament. It's also their 100th century opening stand in ODIs. Rahul goes back and cuts it through towards deep point for a single.

15.1Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

End of over 15 ( 13 Runs )IND 100/0Ambati Rayudu* 50(43)Lokesh Rahul 47(50)
50 runs for Ambati Rayudu
50 runs for Ambati Rayudu
100 runs for IND
100 runs for IND
14.6Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu.SIX, SIX! BANG! Out of here! Rayudu may not be a big fella, but he can sure generate a lot of power. Short ball in line of the stumps, Ambati muscles the pull over mid-wicket and sends it into the 2nd tier over mid-wicket.

14.5Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Flicked once more, but straight to short mid-wicket this time.

14.4Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Sensible stuff. Scores a boundary, then rotates the strike. Works it through mid-wicket for one run.

14.3Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul.FOUR, FOUR! Lovely. One for the cameras, that. Rahul holds the pose after playing the shot. Full on middle and off, it's lofted ever so well over wide long off and it goes across the fence on the bounce.

14.2Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Fuller on the stumps, Rayudu with a high elbow drives it to mid on and gets to the other end.

14.1Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Pushes the length ball through the gap in the covers for a single.

End of over 14 ( 6 Runs )IND 87/0Lokesh Rahul* 41(47)Ambati Rayudu 43(40)13.6Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Punches this short ball through the gap on the off side for a single.

13.5Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 2 runs, Safe! Rayudu is well in. Not sure why the umpire wanted to check it upstairs. Rahul comes down the track and mistimes the loft over mid-wicket. Big gap out there, so the duo decides to come back for the second. The fielder out in the deep fires a throw at the non-striker's end and scores a direct hit as Ambati slides his bat in. Seems safe as it is, but the umpire wants to be sure. Replays confirm the same.

Another direct hit! But seems Rayudu is safe, at least to the naked eye. Over to the third umpire now...

13.4Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.

13.3Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Flicked with the spin through mid-wicket for a single.

13.2Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Has his dancing shoes on again. Gets close to the pitch and knocks it down to long on for a single.

13.1Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Comes down the track and meets the ball with a defensive shot in response.

End of over 13 ( 4 Runs )IND 81/0Ambati Rayudu* 41(37)Lokesh Rahul 37(44)12.6Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Drives this down the ground towards mid on and a single is collected.

12.5Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. no run, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.

12.4Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Superb connection from Rahul but he's unfortunate that he hit it right back at the bowler. Drives this full ball down the track and it goes off Naib's right leg and deflects towards covers. A single results.

12.3Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Behind a length on off, punched on the up to cover. Ambati wants the run, but is correctly asked to go back by his partner.

12.2Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Naib bowls the slower one, but Rayudu is watchful and picks it up early. Taps it behind point and crosses over.

12.1Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Good running between the wickets. Rahul taps it down on the off side right beside him and both batsmen communicate early and complete the run with ease.

End of over 12 ( 3 Runs )IND 77/0Ambati Rayudu* 39(34)Lokesh Rahul 35(41)11.6Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Straighter one outside the line of off stump, dabbed with an open face square on the off side.

11.5Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Short and spinning in from outside off, it's punched back in the bowler's direction.

11.4Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Rahul makes good use of his feet to get close to the pitch and wrists it down to long on for one more.

11.3Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Full and straight from Nabi, flicked to short mid-wicket.

11.2Mohammad Nabi to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Goes with the spin and turns it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

11.1Mohammad Nabi to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Turning in on middle and leg, quicker in pace, KL is on the back foot as he plays it down on the leg side. Takes a quick single as well.

Mohammad Nabi introduced into the attack.

End of over 11 ( 9 Runs )IND 74/0Ambati Rayudu* 38(31)Lokesh Rahul 33(38)10.6Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu.SIX, SIX! A connection as sweet as a Rasgulla from Kolkata. Rayudu jumps out of the crease to this full ball on the stumps and with a simple extension of the arms, lofts it cleanly over long off for a maximum.

10.5Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Rayudu yet again is out of the crease and blocks on the off side. Wants the run but then has the sense to retreat in time.

10.4Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Seeing Rayudu give the charge, Naib takes the pace off it. Clever stuff, as it leaves the batsman with no choice but to block it.

10.3Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Through the covers again, another run to the total.

10.2Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Full and wide outside off, Ambati shapes up for the cover drive and gets it through the gap to the sweeper. A single results.

Powerplay 2 signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the end of the 40th over.

End of over 10 ( 9 Runs )IND 65/0Ambati Rayudu* 31(27)Lokesh Rahul 31(36)9.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Full on leg, swept down to short fine leg. Another dot to end the over but despite that, India have still have the highest score in Powerplay 1 in this year's Asia Cup. They finish with 64 on the board without the loss of a single wicket.

9.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. Dot ball.

9.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Quicker one on the stumps, Rayudu looks to sweep but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

30 runs for Lokesh Rahul
30 runs for Lokesh Rahul
9.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. 3 runs, Fuller around off, Rahul moves across and chips it over mid-wicket. Doesn't time it all that well, but there's nobody in the deep so the batsmen are able to take the third.

9.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul.SIX, SIX! Wow! Quite smart from KL. Anticipated the ball to land full, so opened his body up and went inside out over covers. Got enough on it to clear the cover fence with ease. Well played.

9.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Fullish in length and close to off, blocked out safely.

End of over 9 ( 15 Runs )IND 56/0Ambati Rayudu* 31(24)Lokesh Rahul 22(33)
30 runs for Ambati Rayudu
30 runs for Ambati Rayudu
8.6Gulbadin Naib to Ambati Rayudu.SIX, SIX! And the 50 is up for India. Brought up in some style too. Just ahead of a length on the stumps, Rayudu stays leg side of this and throws the kitchen sink at it. Connects well and clears long on without any trouble. 15 off the over, a big one for India.

50 runs for IND
50 runs for IND
8.5Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Tap and run stuff. This is good stuff from this pair. Rahul plays this down in front of point and the two batsmen are off in a flash. Complete the run quickly so the direct hit at the keeper's end doesn't matter.

A cute moment after the completion of the last over. Shikhar Dhawan was out on the field with the drinks and also wiped off Rayudu's face under the helmet.

8.4Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Quite full, shaping in on the pads, flicked in front of square leg.

8.3Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul.FOUR, FOUR! Missed out on the previous freebie he got, doesn't do so this time. Full toss outside off, Rahul drives it neatly through the gap in the covers. A boundary results.

8.2Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Length ball in the off stump channel, blocked out from the back foot.

8.1Gulbadin Naib to Lokesh Rahul.FOUR, FOUR! Shot. Timing from KL Rahul. That'll make him feel a lot better. Angling in on middle and leg, full length ball, Rahul flicks it well through the right of the mid on fielder. The man there doesn't even bother trying to chase it down. Super shot.

7.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Stays deep inside the crease and tamely pushes it to point.

7.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Run out chance goes abegging! Rayudu works this to short fine leg and both batsmen are off for the run. The fielder gets to the ball and throws it at the bowler's end. Wrong choice, should have fired it to Shahzad as Rahul would have been in some serious danger.

7.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, A loopy full toss, Rahul hits it to mid off and takes a quick single. Missed out there, he knows it. Should have sent it to the boundary line.

7.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, The batsman dances down the track and does well to block the ball back to the bowler.

7.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Skidding off the surface as it goes on straight, driven to mid on.

Rashid Khan is finally on the field. He cannot bowl for another 7 overs or the next 30 minutes, whichever comes first.

End of over 7 ( 9 Runs )IND 38/0Ambati Rayudu* 24(22)Lokesh Rahul 11(23)6.6Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Attacks the top of off stump, it's a length delivery, tapped down in front of point.

6.5Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu.FOUR, FOUR! Room on offer and Rayudu makes Alam pay. Length ball wide outside off, he flays it through point. In the gap and that's another one which has gone to the fence like a rocket.

6.4Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Back of a length rising off the surface, the batsman can't connect.

6.3Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu.FOUR, FOUR! On the leg side this time but the result is the same. Full ball attacking the stumps, angling in, Rayudu slogs it between mid-wicket and mid on and finds the gap well. It's hit well and goes to the boundary in a jiffy.

6.2Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Room offered outside off, run down to third man for a run.

6.1Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Almost could have chopped it back on. Too close to cut as it's coming in on a length, the ball takes the inside edge and goes off the thigh behind. Rahul is lucky it rolls beside the off stump.

End of over 6 ( 6 Runs )IND 29/0Ambati Rayudu* 16(18)Lokesh Rahul 10(21)5.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Hangs inside the crease and blocks it out again.

5.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Rayudu shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

5.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu.FOUR, FOUR! Once again Rayudu picks up a boundary. It's full around off, he gives it the full swing of the bat and clears mid off with ease. Then, it's just a mere formality as the ball races to the boundary.

5.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Good effort from Nabi. Saved a certain boundary. Rahul pushes it to the left of mid off where the fielder dives and stops it. The batsmen can only take a single.

5.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Appeal for an lbw! Landed shorter but Ambati skips down to this. Both bat and pad are involved but the umpire denies the appeal for a leg before. Too far down the track so that's probably why. Eventually it's driven to mid off for one. The replays later on shows that it's crashing into middle and leg. Hmm... so an opportunity missed by the Afghans.

5.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Quicker and shorter around off, kept out off the back foot.

End of over 5 ( 3 Runs )IND 23/0Ambati Rayudu* 11(13)Lokesh Rahul 9(20)4.6Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Low full toss swinging in on middle, Rayudu slogs it off the inner half through mid-wicket and retains strike with a single.

4.5Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Not out! He's in by a long mile, almost crossed the stump line there. KL taps this towards mid off and takes off. There's a throw at the bowler's end and a direct hit is scored. Big appeal for a run out and the umpire checks it upstairs. Replays show he's fine.

A direct hit and it's taken upstairs. But Rahul seems to be in comfortably...

4.4Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Full outside off, driven to the cover fielder.

4.3Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, An appeal from the Afghans but the umpire isn't interested. They think of the DRS too but refrain from it. They feels there's an edge, but good call not to take it upstairs. Length ball outside off, Rahul cuts at it and misses.

4.2Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Play and a miss! Short of a good length rising off the deck, Rahul sticks back to punch it on the up through the covers but misses it completely.

4.1Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Rayudu uses the angle into him well to flick this through mid-wicket. Gets an easy single. Was full in length and Alam came from wide of the crease.

End of over 4 ( 0 Runs )IND 20/0Lokesh Rahul* 8(16)Ambati Rayudu 9(11)
maiden over bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman
maiden over bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman
3.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Coming in on off and then straightening up, takes the leading edge and falls safely towards cover.

3.5Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, The flipper from Mujeeb, on off, KL meets it with a defensive bat.

3.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

3.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, A lot of drift in on middle and leg, worked away with a closed face from the front foot.

3.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Rahul comes ahead to this one and pushes it back to the bowler.

3.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Straighter one on off, forced away in front of cover.

End of over 3 ( 7 Runs )IND 20/0Ambati Rayudu* 9(11)Lokesh Rahul 8(10)2.6Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Goes fuller, shapes it back in from around off, a mistimed drive from the inner half finds its way back to the bowler.

2.5Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Stump-to-stump line from Alam, doesn't allow Rayudu much room and forces him to guard this out.

2.4Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu.SIX, SIX! Take a bow, Ambati Rayudu! That's a terrific shot. Has enough of the blocks and decides to give the charge. There's width available outside off, so he uses the pace and carves it over the infield on the off side. Clears the cover boundary and that's a maximum.

2.3Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Rayudu places himself perfectly behind the line and meets the ball with a straight blade in response.

2.2Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Skidding off the surface as it's pitched close to off, blocked from inside the crease.

2.1Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Hurls it well outside off, on a back of a length, glided just wide of backward point. A single is taken.

End of over 2 ( 2 Runs )IND 13/0Ambati Rayudu* 3(6)Lokesh Rahul 7(9)1.6Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Blocked solidly. Ambati taps this full ball outside off square on the off side.

1.4Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Some nice drift into the batsman from around off. Rahul skips down to push it through the covers but gets an inside edge onto his pads instead.

1.3Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Spinning in on leg, Rayudu picks it off his pads and turns it through backward square leg for a run.

1.2Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Fuller outside off, not much spin on it, pushed to covers but can't beat the fielder there.

1.1Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ambati Rayudu. no run, Full on middle and leg, Rayudu looks to flick but it goes off his pads and falls on the leg side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

End of over 1 ( 10 Runs )IND 11/0Lokesh Rahul* 6(6)Ambati Rayudu 2(2)0.6Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. leg byes, 4 runs, FOUR LEG BYES! Sprays it down leg and pays the price. A length delivery, Rahul looks to flick but misses. He gets it off the thigh pad though and beats the diving keeper to the fine leg fence. 10 from the opening over.

0.5Aftab Alam to Ambati Rayudu. 1 run, Rayudu is off the mark without wasting any time. Moves inside the line and readies himself for the pull. Places it fine down the leg side. The fielder from fine leg rushes to his right and cuts it off with a slide. One run taken.

0.4Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. 1 run, Angling in on middle and leg, wristed down to fine leg for a single.

0.3Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, On a good length targeting the off stick, KL sticks inside the crease and blocks it with the full face of the bat.

0.2Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul. no run, Cutting back in on middle and leg, defended away on the leg side for nothing.

0.1Aftab Alam to Lokesh Rahul.FOUR, FOUR! Starts off in the best possible way. Carrying on from where he left off at The Oval. Short and wide outside off, Rahul rises on his toes and cuts this perfectly past point. No chance of stopping that, it's hit so well.

Back for the run chase. The Afghanistan team is in a huddle currently. KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu are the designated openers for India today. 252 needed off 300 legal deliveries. The start against the new balls very crucial, for both teams. It's going to be Aftab Alam to begin proceedings with the first new nut. A slip in place. Here we go...